As the leaves begin to change and fall to the ground and the cycle of life continues, I find myself solemnly reflecting on a recent conversation between myself and a close friend. A dear friend and colleague called me late one afternoon inquiring if I had time for a quick update and overview regarding pending projects. “Sure, I do!” I answered in my most cheerful voice. The conversation took a normal and completely ordinary path until we were getting ready to hang up. That’s when my friend, okay let me add this caveat- my Christian, but not religious friend said to me. “Janice, I just want to thank you for what you do. It means a lot to me. Two weeks ago, my 24-year old brother was killed in an armed robbery. It has been tough for our family and to be honest, death this close is completely new to me.” My heart nearly stopped, partly because of the unimaginable pain of losing a sibling. My own brother is now 25 years old (only a year older then my friend’s.) Secondly, because I was in awe of how composed he was throughout our conversation. “I am so sorry to hear that.” He continued, “these past few weeks, I didn’t know whether to be mad a God or cry out to Him for help. I was so confused. At night, I couldn’t sleep and for the first time in my life, I watched Christian television. Every night there was a message JUST for me. While I was on the road, I viewed sermons online. This gave me the strength to pray. So, I want to say thank you. Thank you for what you do.” Tears came streaming down my face. I could hardly speak. When I finally opened my mouth, all I could mutter was “Thank YOU!”
What my friend didn’t know is that at that very moment, I was rounding a curve. I too, was in a very uncomfortable place and had been questioning if indeed I was on the right path. Things were tough and some days I woke up thinking “I am good at so much more, why do I insist on doing THIS???”
Perhaps, you are at that place in your ministry, stuck between the starting line and the finish line. On a race track, it’s called ‘the curve’. And, rounding the curve is tough for even the experienced runner, but it’s not impossible. Be encouraged! For just beyond the curve is the straightaway—and it is smooth sailing from there on out. Lean in to the curve; set your mind, your body, and your faith on what awaits you at the finish line. Where you are is temporary, and it is a necessary part of this journey. So FIGHT to finish and remember…whether you see it now or not, it IS worth the fight!